Switching apparatus



July 2, 1940. c. E. LOMAX ET AL SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Elarsnce E.Lmmax Hans fiel gahusch ATTORNEYS Patented July 2, 1940" UNITED STATES SWITCHING APPARATUS Clarence E. Lomax, Oak Park, and Hans Sengebusch, Villa Park, Ill., assignors to Associated Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application December 19, 1938, Serial No. 246,628

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to switching apparatus and more particularly to improvements in contact banks for switching apparatus of the type suitable for use in automatic telephone exchanges.

In a telephone system, one of the major items of cost, in regard to the construction and installation of any automatic telephone exchange, is that of connecting the large number of groups of lines to the many switches and the construction of the multiples between the switches. Usually this construction work is done manually, the conductors of a particular portion of the multiples and in a particular group of the lines being soldered to the respective terminals of a corresponding group of switches. This item of cost may be materially reduced by minimizing the number of terminals provided in each switch, provided the number of groups of lines and the number of lines in each group to which the switch has access are not reduced, rendering it necessary to employ a larger number of switches in the system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches which is so constructed and arranged that the conductors in the contact bank provide both contact sets accessible to the associated switches and multiple connections between the contact sets.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved contact bank for a plurality of automatic switches of the rotary type which is of compact and rugged construction and which is economical to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches which utilizes a number of similar conductor assemblies of improved construction and arrangement.

In general, the objects set forth above are attained in accordance with the present invention by providing a contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type which comprises a supporting structure and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by the supporting structure and arranged along a substantially arcuate path. More particularly, the supporting structure comprises a pair of longitudinally extending supporting elements arranged in spaced-apart relationship and a plurality of transversely extending supporting members carried by the supporting elements and arranged in spaced-apart relationship, each of the supporting members having a substantially arcuate configuration. Each of the conductor assemblies comprises a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, means including a separator formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of the conductors for retaining the conductors in asscmbled and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts. The contacts in each of the sets are arranged in spaced-apart relationship and are individually formed integrally with corresponding ones of the conductors from the stock thereof. The conductor assemblies are so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of the contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions of the conductors in each of the conductor assemblies extending between the sets of contacts carried thereby constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

Also, each of the conductor assemblies is so constructed and arranged that each of the laterally extending contacts in each of the sets of contacts passes through the bodies of each of the conductors and separators disposed on one side of the particular conductor with which the particular contact is integrally formed. The body of each of the conductors has a given number of openings therein corresponding to the number of contacts passing therethroi h, which openings accommodate the contacts, whereby the lastmentioned conductors and contacts are arranged in spaced relationship. The body of each of the separators has a fixed number of openings therein corresponding to one less than the number of contacts, which openings are adapted to accommodate the contacts, whereby each of the separators may be arranged between any two adjacent ones of the conductors. Furthermore, it is noted that the openings provided in the body of each of the conductors through which at least one of the contacts in each of the contact sets extends are provided therein when the stock of the conductor is worked to provide the integrally formed contact carried by the conductor, thereby to minimize the number of additional openings which must be provided in the conductor in order to accommodate the remainder of the contacts extending therethrough.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The organization of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a contact bank for a plurality of automatic switches of the rotary type and constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevational view of the contact bank taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevational view of one of the conductor assemblies utilized in the contact bank taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded View of the conductor assembly shown in Fig. 3 illustrating the method of assembling the conductors and separators therein; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the conductors utilized in the conductor assembly shown in Fig. 3 illustrating an initial step in the method of forming the conductor; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the conductor shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan View of the conductor shown in Fig. 5 illustrating a subsequent step in the method of iorming the conductor; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the conductor shown in 7.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the contact bank there shown is adapted for use in conjunction with a plurality of automatic switches of the rotary type and is provided with a supporting structure comprising two similar horizontally disposed supporting elements H and i2 arranged in parallel spacedapart relationship and a number or" similar vertically disposed supporting members, four or" which are illustrated at 13, i4, i5 and 16, arranged in parallel spaced-apart relationship, each of. the supporting members being fixedly secured to each of the supporting elements. Preferably, the sup porting elements and 52 are formed of angular structurel stock having outwardly extending flanges. More particularly, the supporting elements ii and it are provided with flanges lid and 12a, respectively, arranged in substantially the same plane and directed toward each other. Preferably, the supporting elements l3, 38, etc, are of identical construction and arrangement, each having a body portion of substantially arouate or semicircular configuration which is provided with outwardly and oppositely extending arms.

For example, the supporting member id comprises a bodyportion ll which is substantially semicircular in configuration and is provided with outwardly and oppositely extending arms l8 and 19, respectively. The arms 18 and 19 are provided with laterally projecting flanges 18a and Illa, respectively, which are disposed in substantially the same plane and arranged in abutting relationship with respect to the flanges Na and 12a, respectively. More particularly, the flange 18a is directly secured to the flange lla by a screw 20 extending through an opening provided in the flange 18a and engaging the'threads of a tapped hole provided in the flange Ha; and the flange 19a is directly secured to the flange 120. by a screw 2| extending through an opening provided in the flange Illa and engaging the threads of a tapped hole provided in the flange l2a. The flanges provided on the arms of the other supporting members are directly secured to the flanges Ila and i211, respectively, in a similar manner, thereby to provide a rugged supporting structure for the contact bank and the rotary switches carried thereby. Also, the body portion ll of the supporting member I4 is provided with a laterally projecting flange l'la having a substantially, semicircular configuration which is provided with a number of equally spaced-apart tapped holes 22 therein for a purpose more fully described subsequently. Each of the supporting members is adapted to carry a switching mechanism having a horizontally disposed and rotatable shaft arranged at the center of the circle around which the flange provided on the supporting member extends, the holes 28 being provided in the body portion I! of the supporting member it for the purpose of securing the associated switching mechanism thereto.

Also, the contact bank shown comprises a num-. ber of similar conductor assemblies 24 arranged on the exterior surfaces of the flanges provided on the supporting members I3, I4, etc., and fixedly secured thereto. More particularly, each of the conductor assemblies 24 is secured to the associated and previously noted flanges by a series of screws 25 extending through openings provided in the conductor assembly and engaging the theards of corresponding ones of the previously noted tapped holes provided in the flanges. More specifically, in the arrangement illustrated, provision is made for accommodating twenty conductor assemblies 24, although any desired number of conductor assemblies may be provided. Accordingly, the flange Ila provided on the supporting member 14 has twenty spaced-apart tapped holes 22 provided therein, each of the supporting members l3, M, etc., being formed in a similar manner as previously noted.

The conductor assemblies 24 are of identical construction and arrangement; and, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, each of the conductor assemblies 25 comprises a main group of conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29, a metallic backing strip 30 and a number of separators Si, 32, 33, 34 and 35 constructed and arranged in a manner more fully described subsequently. Each of the conductors is formed of thin ribbon-lilre stock or conducting material, such as brass or bronze; and each of the separators is formed of thin ribbon-like stock of insulating material, such as Bakelite. More particularly, the separator 33 is arranged between the conductor 26 and the flanges provided on the body portions of the supporting elements l3, l4, etc.; the separator 32 is arranged between the conductors 26 and 21; the separator 33 is arranged between the conductors 2i and 28; the separator 34 is arranged between the conductors 28 and 29; and the separator 35 is arranged between the conductor 29 and the backing strip 30, thereby to insulate the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29 from each other, from the flanges provided on the supporting members, and from the backing strip 30. While four conductors are arranged in the conductor assembly 24, it will be understood that any number of conductors may be arranged therein, the number of conductors arranged in the assembly 24 being determined by the number of conductors in the line which is adapted to be terminated by the conductor assembly 24. In the present instance, a four conductor line is considered; accordingly, the conductor assembly 24 comprises four conductors. One end of each of the conductors provided in the conductor assembly 24 is flanged outwardly to provide a terminal to which the corresponding conductor of the terminated line is secured. More particularly, the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29 are provided with outwardly flanged terminals 26a, 21a,

28a and 2911, respectively, to which the corre sponding conductors of the terminated line are adapted to be connected.

The conductor 26 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced-apart openings 26b therein corresponding to the spacing between the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members l3, ll, etc. Similarly, the conductors 21, 28 and 29 are provided with a plurality of equally spaced-apart openings 21b,

28b and 291:, respectively, therein corresponding to the spacing between the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members l3, l6, etc. Likewise, the separators 3|, :2, 33, 34 and 35 are provided with a plurality of equally spaced-apart openings 31b, 32b, 3372,,322, and 352), respectively, therein corresponding to the spacing between the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members I3, H, etc. Finally, the backing strip is provided with a plurality of spacedapart openings 3% therein corresponding to the spacing between the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members it, etc. Corresponding ones of the openings 30b, b, 29b, 3412, etc., provided in the backing strip 30, the separator 35, the conductor 29, the separator 34, etc., respectively, are arranged in alignment with each other and with the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members 13, M, etc., whereby the screws 25 may be passed through the aligned sets of openings provided in the backing strip and in the conductors and separators noted and screwed into threaded engagement with the tapped holes provided in the flanges noted, thereby to securely retain the backing strip and the conductors and separators in compact assembled relationship and to fasten the conductor assembly 24 securely in place in abutting relationship with respect to the iianges noted. Also, it is noted that the sets of aligned openings provided in the backing strip and in the conductors and separators noted through which the screws 25 are adapted to be passed are slightly larger in diameter than the shanks of the screws in order to accommodate a sleeve 36 surrounding the shank of each of the screws 25. Each of the sleeves 35 is formed of tubular insulating stock, such as Bakelite, thereby to insure that the conductors 2G, 21, 28 and 29ers not short-circuited together by the screws extending through the aligned openings therein.

Also, the conductor 23 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced-apart and outwardly extending contacts 280, one of the contacts 260 being disposed intermediate each two of the openings 26b provided in the conductor 25. Similarly, each of the conductors 21, 28 and 29 is provided with a plurality of equally spaced-apart and outwardly extending contacts 21c, 28c and 290, respectively, disposed intermediate each two of the openings 21?), 28b and 29b, respectively provided therein. Also, the positions of the contacts 26c, 21c, 28c and 290 with respect to the openings 25?), 21b, 28b and 29b, respectively provided in the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29, are so correlated with respect to each other that corresponding ones of the contacts 250, 21c, 28c and 29c, constitute a contact set, which is so coordinated that the contacts 260, 21c, 28c and 290 therein occupy positions spaced a fixed distance from each other. More specifically, the contacts 260, 21c, 28c and 290 disposed between the two screws 25 engaging the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members l3 and I4 constitute a contact set 31; while the contacts 260, 21c, 28c and 290 disposed between the two screws 25 engaging the tapped holes provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members H and I5 constitute a contact set 38. Also, each of the contact sets constitutes an auxiliary group of conductors.

Certain openings are provided in the conductors 26, 21 and 28 and in the separators 3|, 32,

33 and 34 through which the outwardly extending contacts 260, 2lc, 28c and 29c extend. More particularly, the separator M is provided with four equally spaced-apart openings Md, Ste, II! and 3m therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 362 provided therein through which the contacts 26c, tic, 28c and 29c, respectively extend. The conductor 26 is provided with three equally spaced-apart openings 26c, 26; and 26g therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced apart openings 2% provided therein through which the contacts 270, 28c and 290 respectively extend. The separator 32 is provided with three equally spaced-apart openings 32e, 332i and 32! therein disposed intenmediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 32b provided therein through which the contacts ile, its and 290 respectively extend. The conductor 2? is provided with two spacedcpart openings Elf and dig therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 2% provided therein through which the contacts 290 and 2dr: respectively extend. The separator 33 is provided with two spaced-apart openings 33; and 33g therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 3% therein through which the contacts 28c and its respectively are tend. The conductor is provided with an opening 28g therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 2% therein through which the contacts 290 extend. The separator 34 is provided with an opening Bdg therein disposed intermediate each two of the spaced-apart openings 34?) therein through which the contacts We extend. Accordingly, in each contact set, the contact 260 extends through the opening 3id; the contact 270 extends through the aligned openings 32c, Ede and file; the contact 280 extends through the aligned openings 33f, 21 32!, 26; and ill; and the contact 280 extends through the aligned openings My, 289', 33g, 27g, 32g, 269' and 3M.

Preferably, each of the separators 3E, 32, etc., is identical to the separator 3i each having four equally spaced-apart openings therein disposed intermediate each two of the openings therein through which the shanks of the screws 25 ex= tend, whereby the separators 3H, 32, 33, etc., are in e chan eable and each separator may be arranged between any two adjacent conductors in the conductor assembly. This construction of the separators 3|, 32, 33, etc., considerably reduced the cost of manufacturing the conductor assembly 24 in view of the fact that each of the separators is of identical construction. However. each of the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29 must be individually formed in view of the fact that different conductors having different numbers of openings therethrough and the fact that the contacts carried by the. different conductors are of different length. More particularly, the conductor 26 has three openings therein; the conductor 2'! has two openings therein; and each of the conductors 28 and 29 has one opening therein. Also, the contacts 260, 21c, 28c and 290- are of progressively increasing length, whereby the outer end of each of these contacts is disposed a fixed distance from the adjacent surface of the separator 3i. Preferably, the conductors 26, 21

and 28 are so formed that the openings 26e. 21)- and 28g, respectively provided therein, are formed when the stock of the respective conductors is worked to provide the outwardly extending contacts 26c, 21c and 280, respectively provided on 7 the conductors 26, 21 and 28; in a manner described more fully hereinafter.

From the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of the conductor assembly 24, it is apparent that a number of contact sets are provided thereby, the number of contact sets provided thereby corresponding to the number of switching mechanisms adapted to be carried by the supporting members id, id, etc. More par ticularly, the two contact sets 3i and 3B are respectively associated with the two switching mechanisms carried by the two supporting members l3 and M, respectively. More specifically, the rotary shaft of the switching mechanism carried by the supporting member 83 is provided with four wipers which are adapted to engage the respective contacts of the contact set 3?. Similarly, the rotary shaft of the switching mechanism carried by the supporting member id is provided with four wipers which are adapted to engage the respective contacts of the contact set 38. It will be understood that the other contact sets provided by the conductor assembly 24 cooperate with the wipers of the other switching mechanisms in a similar manner. Accordingly, each of the switches carried by the supporting members l3, l4, etc., respectively, has access by way of the associated contact set provided by the conductor assembly 24 to the line terminated by the conductor assembly 24. Moreover, it will be apparent that the portions of the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29 extending between the various contact sets provided by the conductor assembly 24 constitute common multiple connections between the various contact sets, thereby to mark the line terminated by the conductor assembly as, busy to the remainder of the switching mechanisms when one of the switching mechanisms has operated to seize the line.

As previously noted, twenty conductor assemblies 24 are secured to the exterior surfaces of the flanges provided on the supporting members [3, I4, 55, etc., these conductor assemblies being disposed radially about the center line of the rotary shafts of the switching mechanisms carried by the supporting members l3, M, etc., and each of these assemblies being of the identical construction previously described. Also, it is noted that the corresponding contact sets provided by the conductor assemblies 24 and associated with the wipers of one of the switching mechanisms are arranged in radial alignment whereby the corresponding contacts in the respective contact sets are successively engaged by the corresponding wipers carried by the rotary shaft of the switching mechanism when the shaft is rotated. More specifically, the contact sets are radially disposed equally spaced-apart distances, whereby the rotary shaft of the associated switching mechanism may be'rotated step by step, thereby successively to engage the contacts comprising the contact sets provided by adjacent ones of the conductor assemblies 24. From the foregoing description of the construction and arrangement of the contact bank and the operation of the switching mechanisms associated therewith, it will be understood that each of the switching mechanisms has access to each of the twenty lines and is operative step by step to successively select the lines; and that, when a line is-selected by one of the switching mech-' anisms, that line is marked as busy to each of the other switching mechanisms. Finally, it is noted that the individual lines are connected to only corresponding ones of the conductor assemaaoaeae constructions previously described, are first obtained. The required number of screws 25 are selected and one of the sleeves 36 is slipped on the shank of each of the screws. The assembled screws and sleeves 2536 are then inserted into the openings 3022 provided in the backing strip 30. The separator is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-36 are inserted through the openings 35?) provided therein. The conductor 29 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-36 are inserted through the openings 2% provided therein. The separator 34 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 2536 and the contacts 290 are inserted through the openings 34b and 349 respectively provided therein. The conductor 28 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-36 and the contacts 290 are inserted through the openings 28b and 289 respectively provided therein. The separator 33 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-36 and the contacts 29c and 280 are inserted through the openings 33b, 33g and 33f respectively provided therein. The conductor 2! is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 2536 and the contacts 290 and 280 are inserted through the openings 2111, 21g and 21 respectively provided therein. The separator 32 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 2536 and the contacts 290, 28c and .210 are inserted through the openings 32b, 32g, 32 and 322 respectively provided therein. The conductor 26 is then brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-36 and the contacts 290,

28c and 21c'are inserted through the openings 26b, 26g, 26 and 26e respectively provided therein. Finally, the separator 31 is brought in place and the assembled screws and sleeves 25-46 and the contacts 290, 28c, 21c and 26c are inserted through" the openings 3lb, 3M], 3D, Me and 3Id respectively provided therein. Ultimately the ends of the screws 25 are inserted into the tapped openings provided in the flanges provided on the supporting members l3, l4, l5, etc.; and the screws 25 are then screwed into engagement with the threads provided in these tapped holes, thereby to force the backing strip 30, the conductors 26, 21, 28 and 29 and the separators 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35 into compact assembled relationship and to securely fasten the conductor assembly 24 to the flanges noted. The backing strip, the conductors and the separators included in the other conductor assemblies 24 are assembled and securely fastened to the flanges noted in a similar manner, thereby to provide the contact bank having the construction and arrangement previously described.

Each of the conductors 26, 21, etc., is formed of thin ribbon-like stock as previously noted. In forming each of the conductors, a strip of the stock of the required length is first provided and is then worked to provide a. conductor of the.

desired configuration. More particularly, the 1 thereby to sever the stock in order to provide the required number of openings therein and to deline at least a portion of each 02! the contacts carried thereby. Subsequently, the portions of the stock comprising the portions of the contacts thus defined are subjected to pressure, thereby to deform theseportions of the stock in order to form the contacts. More specifically in forming the contact strip 25, a strip of stock of the required length is first subjected to a pressing operation, thereby to sever the stock in order to provide a number of sets of related openings therein, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6. More particularly, the die operation severs the stool; to form the spaced-apart openings 25b, 26c and 25! therein and to form a number of substantially U-shaped openings therein which subsequently provide the openings 28c therein. Also, these U-shaped openings provided in the stock define a plurality of tongue-like portions which ultimately are formed into the contacts 28c. Subsequently, the tongue-like portions are subjected to pressure whereupon they are deformed from the plane of the stock to provide the outwardly extending contacts 280, as best shown in Figs. '7 and 8. It is noted that each of the tongues and, consequently, each of the contacts 26c is formed integrally with the stock of the conductor 26 and that the spacings between the openings 26g, 26 and the U-shapecl opening mentioned in each of the sets of openlogs are so related that the openings 25g and 261 will accommodate the insertion of the contacts 292 and 280 respectively carried by the conductors 29 and 28 respectively when the conductor 25 is assembled in the conductor assembly 24. Also the ton ue-like portion defined by each of the U-shaped openings provided in the stock of the conductor 26 has a suflicient length so thatit will project, after it has been deformed, outwardly the desired distance from the adjacent surface of the separator 3| when the conductor 26 is assembled in the conductor assembly 24. Finally, the legs of each of the U-shaped openings provided in the stock of the conductor 26 are of such a length that the opening 26c provided in the stool: of the conductor 26, when the contact 280 is deformed out of the plane of the stock, will accommodate the insertion of the contact 210 carried by the conductor 21 when the conductor 26 is assembled in the conductor assembly 24. While only the method of forming the conductor 26 has been described in detail above, it will be understood that each of the other conductors 21, 28 and 29 is formed in a similar manner.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type comprising, in combination, a support; and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by said support and arranged along a substantially arcuate path; each of said conductor assemblies including a number of conductors arranged in side-by-side and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of contacts extending transverselyof said conductors, the contacts in each said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually can'ied by corresponding ones of said conductors; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions oi said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

2. A contact bank fora plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type comprising, in combination, a support; and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by said support and arranged along a'substantially arcuate path; each of said conductor assemblies including a number oi longitudinally extending conductors arranged in side-byside and spacedapart relationship, means including a longitudinally extending separator formed of insulating material and-arranged between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually carried by cor-' responding ones of said conductors; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each 'of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

3. A contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type comprising, in combination, a support; and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by said support and arranged along a substantially arcuate path; each of said conductor assemblies including a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually formed integrally with corresponding ones of said conductors from the stock thereof; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts'carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

4. A contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type comprising, in combination, a support; and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by said support and arranged along a substantially arcuate path; each of said conductor assemblies including a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbonlike stock and arranged in stacked and spacedapart relationship, means including a separator formed of ribbon-like insulating stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually formed integrally with corresponding ones of said conductors from the stock thereof; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

5. A contact bank for a plurality of associated automatic switches of the rotary type comprising, in combination, a pair of longitudinally extending supporting elements arranged in spacedapart relationship; a plurality of transversely extending supporting members carried by said supporting elements and arranged in spacedapart relationship, each of said supporting members having a substantially arcuate configuration; and a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies carried by said supporting members and arranged along a substantially arcuate path;

each of said conductor assemblies including a number of longitudinally extending conductors arranged in side-by-side and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated automatic switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

6. A contact bank for a plurality of associated switches comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies; each of said conductor assemblies including a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

7. A contact bank for a plurality of associated switches comprising, in combination, a plurality of spaced-apart conductor assemblies; each of said conductor assemblies including a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, means including a separator formed of ribbon-like insulating stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apartrelationship and being individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof; said conductor assemblies being so constructed and arranged that corresponding ones of said contact sets carried thereby are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts carried by each of said conductor assemblies constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

8. A contact bank for a plurality of associated switches comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, said sets of contacts and said conductors being so constructed and arranged that said sets of contacts are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

9. A contact bank for a plurality of associated switches comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced ap'art relationship, means including a separator formed of ribbon-like insulating stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a number of spaced-apart sets of laterally extending contacts, the contacts in each of said sets being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and being individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors, each of said contacts being'formed in tegrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, said sets of contacts and said conductors being so constructed and arranged that said sets of contacts are accessible to corresponding ones of the associated switches and that the portions of said conductors extending between said sets of contacts constitute common multiple connections therebetween.

10. A contact bank assembly comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, and a set of laterally extending contacts individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors and arranged in spaced-apart relationship, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, at least one of the contacts in said set passing through the body of at least one of said conductors, said one conductor having an opening in the body thereof to accommodate said one contact, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arranged in spaced relationship.

' stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a set of laterally extending contacts individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors and arranged in spaced-apart 1 relationship, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding one of said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, at least one of the contacts in said set' passing through the bodies or at least one of said separators and one of said conductors, said one separator and said one conductor having aligned openings in the bodies thereof to accommodate-said one contact, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arranged in spaced relationship. 12. A contact bani-r assembly comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors arranged in side-by-side and spaced-apart relationship, each of said conduc tors carrying a laterally extending contact formed integrally therewith from the body of said conductor, whereby an opening is provided in the body of said conductor incident to the formation of the contact carried thereby, the contacts carried by said conductors being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and constituting. a set, at least one of the contacts in said set passing through the last-mentioned opening provided in the body of at least one of said conductors, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arranged in spaced relationship. 13. A contact bank assembly comprising, in combination, a number oi longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, each of said conductors carrying a laterally extending contact formed integrally therewith entirely from; the ribbon-like stock thereof, whereby an opening is provided in the body of said conductor incident to the formation of the contact carried thereby, the last-mentioned opening provided in the body of each of said conductors being wider than the contact carried thereby, the contacts carried by said conductors being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and constituting a set, at least one of the contacts in said set passing through the last-mentioned opening provided in the body of at least one of said conductors, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arrangedin spaced relationship.

14. A contact bank assembly comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors arranged in side-by-side and spaced-apart relationship, and means including a longitudinally extending separator formed of insulating material and arranged between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spacedapart relationship, each of said conductors carrying a laterally extending contact formed integrallytherewith from the body of said conductor, whereby an opening is provided in the body of said conductor incident to the formation of the contact carried thereby, the contacts carried by said conductors being arranged in spaced-apart "*relationshlp and constituting a let, each of said separators having holes provided in the body thereof arranged in alignment with the respective last-mentioned openings provided in the bodies of said conductors, at least one of the contacts in said set passing through the aligned hole provided in the body of at least one of said separators and the last-mentioned opening provided' in the body of one of said conductors, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arranged in spaced relationship. 1

15. A contact bank assembly comprising, in combination, a number, of longitudinally extending conductors formed of ribbon-like stock and arranged in side-by-side and spaced-apart relationship, and means including a separator formed of ribbon-like insulating stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, each of, said conductors carrying a laterally extending contact formed integrally therewith entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, whereby an opening is provided in the body of said conductor incident to the formation of the contact carried thereby, the last-men'- tioned opening provided in the body of each of said conductors being wider than the contact carried thereby, the contacts carried by said conductors being arranged in spaced-apart relationship and constituting a set, each of said separators having holes provided in the body thereof arranged in alignment with the respective lastmentioned openings provided in the bodies of said conductors, at least one of the contacts in said set passing through the aligned hole provided in the body of at least one of said separators and the last-mentioned opening provided in the body of one of said conductors, whereby said one conductor and said one contact are arranged in spaced relationship.

16. A contact bank assembly comprising, in combination, a number of longitudinally extending conductors formed oi'ribbon-like stock and arranged in stacked and spaced-apart relationship, means including a separator formed of ribbon-like insulating stock and arranged in stacked relationship between each two adjacent ones of said conductors for retaining said conductors in assembled and spaced-apart relationship, and a set-of laterally extending 0011- tacts individually carried by corresponding ones of said conductors and arranged in spaced-apart relationship, each of said contacts being formed integrally with the corresponding oneof said conductors entirely from the ribbon-like stock thereof, each of the contacts in said set passing through the bodies of each of said conductors and separators disposed on one side of the particular conductor carrying the particular contact,

- the body of each of said conductors having a given number of openings therein corresponding to the number of contacts passing therethrough which openings accommodate the contacts,

whereby said last-mentioned conductors and contacts are arranged in spaced relationship, the body of each of said separators having a fixed number of openings therein corresponding to one less than the number of contacts which openings are adapted to accommodate the contacts, whereby each of said separators may be arranged between any two adjacent ones of said conductors.

CLARENCE E. mm. HANS smomsuscn. 

